Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge

Known as the Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge in Scotland, where it is still ongoing, this is the most successful engagement and land protection programme ever run by Fields in Trust. We created a grassroots legacy across the UK from 2012’s big events, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympic & Paralympic Games.
We worked with 873 landowners from parish councils to sports clubs, local authorities to charitable groups. Over 20,000 acres have been nominated for protection through the Challenge, on 1585 sites.

Fields in Trust were committed to producing a strong and eduring legacy from the Olympics, in the name of Her Majesty, which shows in the numbers. Operating since 1925, in the years before the Challenge, Fields in Trust protected 1,180 sites covering 7,377 acres.

“Through the Challenge we feel assured that this space will belong to everyone forever. This, for us, is a treasure beyond measure” Margaret Hall – Townley, Alderton Parish

Funding

We don’t just work to safeguard sites forever, we help their landowners make them as good as they can be so they become loved and used by their community. One of the ways we do this is by securing funding to offer to Fields in Trust fields.

Last year over £1.6 million was awarded to QEII Fields either directly from Fields in Trust, or through the QEII Fields Funds from SITA Trust.
We’ve been helping communities to make their dreams for their spaces a reality. The funding resulted in new play trails, walking tracks, wildflower meadows, multi-use games areas and rejuvenated pavilions.

Awards

We want to reward the hard work and enthusiasm of the people across the UK who value their outdoor spaces. Whilst we can’t reach everyone, we created the inaugural Fields in Trust awards to recognise and appreciate those who work hard to ensure communities across the UK have access to high quality outdoor recreational space. In 2012 these focused on the QEII Fields Challenge. Prizes included an overnight stay in a hotel; £10,000 of play equipment and other fantastic prizes. Keep an eye out for this year’s Awards ceremony!

"It was a lovely evening and it was great to meet like-minded people who's whole ethos is to save open spaces, or improve the land." Peter Simonnett, Community Champion winner